WASHINGTON—U.S. Helsinki Commission Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (TN-09), OSCE PA Special Representative on Political Prisoners, today issued the following statement urging the leaders of democratic nations to prioritize civilian captives in negotiating an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine:
In recent weeks, G7 heads of state and government have commented on the conditions required for reaching a durable ceasefire in Russia’s war against Ukraine. As this conversation continues, I want to draw attention to the fact that thousands of civilians are currently held captive as a result of this war.
They include:
• Ukrainian civilian detainees held by the Russian state, including three OSCE workers
• Ukrainian children forcibly transferred or deported to Russia
• Russian political prisoners held behind bars for opposing dictatorship and war
• Belarusian political prisoners held behind bars for opposing dictatorship and war
Any ceasefire agreement must prioritize the immediate release and return of these individuals — and I urge the leaders of democratic nations to put this issue firmly on the negotiating agenda.
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